Tension controlled filament feeding means



E. K. BAUER June 1, W48.

TENSION CONTROLLED FILAMENT FEEDING MEANS Filed Feb. 3, 1945 Armm y Patented June I, 1948 TENSEON CONTROLLED FILAMENT FEEDING MEANS Ernest K. Bauer, Meadvllle, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Wilmington, Del, a corporation of Delaware Application February 3, 1945, Serial No. 576,087

13 Claims. 3

This invention concerns an improved system for handling filamentary material, and it is particularly concerned with a thread-advancing device for withdrawing an aggregate comprising a plu. rality of individual filamentary units from a plurality of sources of supply, such as a creel or one or more artificial filament spinning machines, and for delivering it to another device or to the first of a series of such devices for processing or further handling. The invention is especially concerned with a system of maintaining sufiicient tension on the filamentary material as it proceeds to and about the thread-advancing device.

It is desirable to avoid the use of a positively driven godet or draw roll for each spinning unit of an artificial filament spinning machine, particularly of the dry spinning type, and to substitute a mere guide, whether that be stationary or rotatable, providing in such event a withdrawing and delivering device for the whole aggregate of filaments built up from the various spinning units. However, it sometimes happens that the tension in the filamentary aggregate disappears or falls between the common delivering device and the subsequent processing system, as a result of breakage or slippage, or possibly breakdown of one or more of the subsequent handling devices. When such decrease in tension occurs, beyond the common delivery device, it is frequently the case that the delivery device loses the filamentary material entirely, with the result that a complete breakdown of spinning occurs. In'

such event, it is necessary to re-thread or re-lace each end from the various spinning machines about the various guides and about the common withdrawing and delivering device into the subsequent thread-handling system, with a consequent wastage of time, labor, and filamentary material.

It is the object of the present invention to prevent a complete loss of tension beyond the common thread-delivering device, so that there is no possibility of a complete breakdown of the filamentary material-handling system. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description thereof which refers to the drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan view of an arrangement embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation; and

Figure 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections.

As shown, the strands a, h, e and d of filamentary material proceed from various sources of supply, which may comprise one or more artificial filament spinning machines or creels for each strand shown, or a single thread source for each strand, and pass about suitable guide rotors 2 and 3 to form an aggregate ll. The aggregate 4 may proceed through a guide 5 about a threadadvancing device 6. As shown, this thread-advancing device comprises two canted rolls l which eiiect lateral displacement of laps of the filamentary aggregate thereabout. Alternatively, a thread-advancing reel of any suitable construction, preferably supported at one end only, may be used. During normal operation of the threadhandling system, the aggregate 4 passes to a thread-receiving system 9, for processing with liquids, cutting, collecting by twisting or simple winding, or the like. As shown, the threadreceiving system comprises a stable fiber cutter of the type disclosed in Beria Patent 1,723,998. The filamentary aggregate 4 enters a central axial channel in the cutter head I 0, which channel conducts the aggregate into a. radial passage terminating in the peripheral opening I l. A motor l2 serves to drive the cutter.

Normally, the thread-receiving system, in the specific embodiments shown comprising the staple fiber cutter in, maintains the tension upon the aggregate 4, so that spinning is continuous. However, in case such tension is decreased for any reason, the following arrangement serves to restore the tension and prevent interruption of spinning or loss of traction by the delivery device 6. The auxiliary tensioning device comprises a conduit l3 having an upper portion arranged to receive the filamentary aggregate as it falls under decreased tension, connected to a discharge conduit it, an ejector l5 being arranged adjacent the connection. As shown diagrammatically in Figure 3, the injector comprises a. fluid Jet discharging into the communicating channels in the direction of the discharge channel, whereby to create suction in the conduit l3. The conduit i3 is slitted at It, so as to form a channel for receiving the filamentary aggregate. Preferably, guide pins I! are provided upon the conduit and normally guide the aggregate even when it is under normal tension and serve to direct the aggregate as its tension decreases into the slitted channel IS. A pivotal detector arm l8 normally rests upon the aggregate 4 and carries a switchclosing arm i9, which makes contact with a terminal 20 when the tension falls to a predetermined extent. The making of such contact closes a circuit with a line 2|, an alarm such as a bell 22 and a solenoid 23. The solenoid 23 actuates a'core 24, thereby opening a valve 25 in an air supply line 26 (see Figure 3- particularly). A waste receptacle 2! serves to receive the filamentary aggregate, while being discharged through the auxiliary tension-maintaining means.

It will thus be seen that 'iailure of the tension in the aggregate as it is delivered from the device 6 allows the detector arm l8 to close the circuit, ringing the bell to attract the attention of the operator and opening the air line to start operation of the injector for producing suction in the conduit 13. This draws the aggregate through the conduit l3 and discharge channel I and deposits the aggregate in the receptacle 21, thus maintaining tension in the aggregate proceeding about the delivery device 6 until the operator is able to restore normal operating conditions.

When the operator has corrected the trouble he can readily re-lalce the staple fiber cutter by means of the lever 28 provided with the crank handle 29 and a laterally projecting hook 30, which is normally in the position shown in full lines but in re-lacing is swung into the dotted line position (see Figure 2) with the hook presenting the aggregate passing therearound down into the injector l5. With the hook 30 presenting the aggregate in close proximity to the opening of the cutter head, the operator may deftly cut the aggregate in its downward course from the hook, so that the aggregate is drawn into the cutter head. As soon as the tension is restored, the aggregate 4 will lift arm l8 to the normal operating level. In this position of the arm l8, valve 25 is closed and the auxiliary tensioning means is idle and inoperative but in readiness for subsequent operation in case of breakdown.

The filamentary aggregate withdrawing and delivery device 6 is positively driven by means of the motor 32 through connecting gears not shown. Optionally a suction pipe 33 is arranged between the rotors 'l and is controlled by the valve 34. This arrangement serves for the preliminary lacing up of the delivery device 6 as more particularly described in the co-pending application of Alexander Bruenner, Serial No. 479,568, filed March 18, 1943, now Patent 2,381,- 643.

The invention is applicable to the handling of filamentary material whether of natural or artificial type. It may be an aggregation of spun yarns or continuous filament yarns, or it may be an aggregate of untwisted continuous filaments. The filamentary handling system of the present invention may be used for withdrawing the artificial filaments produced in dry-, wet or meltspinning machines, and is particularly advantageous in such machines in that it eliminates numerous positively driven godets r wheels and prevents the loss of tension upon break-down in one or more of the processing stages, so that spinning is continuous and uninterrupted. The handling system of the present invention may serve to deliver the filamentary aggregates to one or more devices or stages involving handling, processing with liquids or gases, stretching, coating, cutting, or collecting in twisted or untwisted form.

It is to be understood that the description of the invention hereinabove is illustrative and that changes and deviations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for withdrawing an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length from a supply thereof and for forwarding it to a device for additional handling thereof comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, auxiliary tensioning means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device, means for guiding the aggregate from its normal delivery path to the auxiliary tensioning means. said auxiliary tensioning means being idle and inoperative duringnormal delivery of the a gre ate t t handling device, and means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the device after failure to maintain normal tension.

2. An apparatus for withdrawing an aggregateof filamentary material having indefinite length from a supply thereof and for forwarding it to a device for additional handling thereof comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, auxiliary tensionin means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device and having a filamentary material-receiving passage disposed adjacent the normal delivery path, means for guiding the aggregate from its normal delivery path to the auxiliary tensioning means, said auxiliary tensioning means being idle and inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the handling device, and means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the device after failure to maintain normal tension.

3. An apparatus for withdrawing an aggregate of filamentary. material having indefinite length from a. supply thereof and for forwarding it to a device for additional handling thereof comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, pneumatic auxiliary tensioning means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device, means for guiding the aggregate from its normal delivery path to the auxiliary tensioning means, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the handling device, and means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative.

4. An apparatus for withdrawing an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length from a supply thereof and for forwarding it to a device for additional handling thereof comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, pneumatic auxiliary tensioning means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device, and having a, filamentary material-receiving passage disposed adjacent the normal delivery path, means for guiding the aggregate from its normal delivery path to the auxiliary tensioning means, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the handling device, and means responsive to I a predetermined decrease in tension in the a gregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative.

5. An apparatus for withdrawing an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length from a supply thereof and for forwarding it to a device for additional handling thereof comprising a thread-advancing device comprising two canted rolls about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, pneumatic auxiliary tensioning means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device, means for guiding the aggregate from its normal delivery path to the auxiliary tensioning means, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the handling device, and means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative.

6. An apparatus for withdrawing an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length from a supply thereof and for forwarding it to a device for additional handling thereof comprising a thread-advancing device having two canted rolls about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, pneumatic auxiliary tensioning means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device and having a filament ary material-receiving passage disposed adjacent the normal delivery path, means for guiding the aggregate from its normal delivery path to the auxiliary tensioning means, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the handling device, a pivotally mounted arm resting on the aggregate as it travels from the thread-advancing device, electrical means controlling the operation of said pneumatic auxiliary tensioning means, said electrical means comprising a switch arranged to be opened and closed upon movement of the arm in response to predetermined changes in tension of the aggregate.

7. In combination, means for cutting an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length, means for forwarding the aggregate to the cutting device, said forwarding means comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, and auxiliary means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device for preventing decrease in tension in the aggregate below a predetermined limit as it leaves the thread-advancing device, thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the thread-advancing device after failure to maintain normal tension.

8. In combination, means for cutting an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length, means for forwarding the aggregate to the cutting device, said forwarding means comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, and auxiliary means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device for preventing decrease in tension in the ag regate below a predetermined limit as it leaves the thread-advancing device, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the cutting device, and means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative, thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the thread-advancing device after failure to maintain normal tension.

9. In combination, means for handling an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length, means for forwarding the aggregate to the handling device, said forwarding means comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, and auxiliary means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device for preventing decrease in tension in the aggregate below a predetermined limit as it leaves the threadadvancing device, thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the thread-advancing tensioning means close to the handling device to facilitate re-laclng of the letter.

10. In combination, means for cutting an aggregate oi filamentary material having indefinite length, means for forwarding the aggregate to the cutting device, said forwarding means. comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, and auxiliary means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device for preventing decrease in tension in the aggregate below a predetermined limit as it leaves the thread-advancing device, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the cutting device, means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative, thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the thread-advancing device after failure to maintain normal tension, and means for presenting a portion of the path of the aggregate as it proceeds to the auxiliary tensioning means close to the cutting device to facilitate re-lacing of the latter.

11. In combination, means for handling an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length, means for forwarding the aggregate to the handling device, said forwarding means comprising a thread-advancingdevice about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, and pneumatic auxiliary means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device for preventing decrease in tension in the aggregate below a predetermined limit as it leaves the thread-advancing device, thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the thread-advancing device after failure to maintain normal tension.

12. In combination, means for cutting an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length, means for forwarding the aggregate to the cutting device, said forwarding means comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, i and pneumatic auxiliary means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device for preventing decrease in tension in the aggregate below a predetermined limit as it leaves the thread-advancing device, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the cutting device. and means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the auxiliary tensioning means operative, thereby assuring the continued feeding of the aggregate by the thread-advancing device after failure to maintain normal tension.

13. In combination, means for cutting an aggregate of filamentary material having indefinite length, means for forwarding the aggregate to the cutting device, said forwarding means comprising a thread-advancing device about the periphery of which the material is carried in a generally helical path, and pneumatic auxiliary means arranged beyond the thread-advancing device for preventing decrease in tension in the aggregate below a predetermined limit as it leaves the thread-advancing ,device, said auxiliary tensioning means being inoperative during normal delivery of the aggregate to the cutting device. means responsive to a predetermined decrease in tension in the aggregate for rendering the 7 auxiliary tensioning means operative, thereby assuring the continued ieeding of the aggregate by the thread-advancing device after failure to maintain normal tension, and means for presenting a portion of the path of the aggregate as it proceeds to the auxiliary tensioning means close to the cutting device to facilitate re-lacing oi the latter,

ERNEST K. BAUER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Williamson Sept. 11, 1934 Number Number 10 Number 

